Laura Vanderkam is a nationally recognized writer, journalist and author who questions the status quo and helps her readers rediscover their true passions and beliefs in pursuit of more meaningful lives.
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December 19, 2011|2 commentsShopping for Christmas presents raises a host of issues at the intersection of money and happiness. Here are two things that are simultaneously true:
1. I love to give people presents that delight them.
2. I hate wasting money.
This often produces mental turmoil, as a large chunk of money spent on gifts is inevitably wasted, meaning the person would have rath… read more »

December 15, 2011|2 commentsI was on Talk of the Nation yesterday, speaking with Neal Conan about microphilanthropy. NPR’s producers found a USA Today column I wrote about the topic last year. If philanthropy is the voluntary promotion of human welfare, microphilanthropy is doing the same thing on a much smaller scale. It’s about establishing a direct connection betwe… read more »

December 14, 2011|5 comments(Laura’s note: Even though I’m no longer really on maternity leave, I’m still running a few guest posts from my favorite bloggers — enjoy!)
By Linda Formichelli
Time management is a huge industry: e-books, print books, iPhone apps, and software programs all help people cram their too-many to-dos into the time they have. Article… read more »

December 13, 2011|2 comments(Laura’s note: This column ran in USA Today yesterday. Thanks to everyone who sent me their thoughts on the topic!)
Come December, many Americans add this tradition to the obvious trees and carols: the annual digging out of the checkbook, as we respond to charity solicitations. The average family will give roughly 3% of household income away by the en… read more »

December 10, 2011|2 commentsThose of you who subscribe to my Just a Minute newsletter (sign-up to the right) got a link in your inboxes this week to download the introduction to All The Money In The World: What the Happiest People Know About Getting and Spending. The book itself will be out March 1, but this will give a taste of it. I explore the concept that if money isn’t buying us happ… read more »